We are thrilled to announce that the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League has been nominated for the prestigious League of the Year award by the Manchester FA! This nomination is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of everyone involved in our league, from the players and coaches to the volunteers and supporters. We are incredibly proud of this recognition and look forward to continuing our journey of promoting and developing women’s football in Greater Manchester.
After hearing the news, we caught up with Lee Sutton, the Chairman of the GMWFL.
First of all, as Chairman of the GMWFL, you must be hugely proud of the incredible growth and success of the league in the past year, leading you on to the nomination for the award?
"Since the league started in 2011, there has been many people on the committee who have played there part in building up the league, it’s a pleasure to be chairman of the league and work with great minded people who work hard to make the league in what it is and what has been achieved. Being nominated for the award is great and winning it again would be fantastic."
You have handled many roles on the committee over the years, now being Chairman of the league. Can you tell us a bit about your overall involvement with the league, from 2011 when it began to now being nominated for the third time for the league of the year award at Manchester FA.
"I started with the league in 2011 as a committee member and stepped in where I was needed, as people came and went I stepped up further and when our previous chairman left he put my name forward to replace him, I've worked closely with Manchester FA to build the league and help grow women’s football within greater manchester building it up to the heights we have seen this season, running with 77 teams of open age and u18s."
What do you think are the key factors that contributed to this nomination?
"I believe it’s the hard work put in by the committee and all the team loving the competitive friendly football."
I think it’s fair to say the league are heavily reliant on volunteers to make all the magic happen, can you tell us about the work they put in and how they make the league a huge success.
"Past and present committee members have all been dedicated to their role and worked hard to help contribute to today’s success and the award nomination."
How do the league maintain strong relationships with all clubs, ensuring that every club feels valued and wanted here at the GMWFL?
"We run the league on behalf of the teams, we contribute to team training kit to assist them on match days, the divisions are, majority of the time, fair, fun and can be competitive, team managers have a say on the way the league is run so we keep them involved season after season."
What impact do you believe the league has had on women’s football in Greater Manchester and beyond?
"We have had some great teams and some fantastic players, great managers developing the players with them progressing up the pyramid and most of all making it fun."
What would winning the League of the Year award mean for you, the committee and everyone involved at the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League?
"Winning the award for the third time would be fantastic showing all the hard work and commitment from the volunteers from the committee to the team managers and players has been worthwhile."
Finally, how does the league build on from this going into next season?
"We have achieved so much from when the league first started to where it is now, as long as we grow season on season then we are achieving what we are all doing this for."
Buying Tickets
If you wish to purchase a ticket for the event, you can visit the Manchester FA website by clicking the button below, or searchng "ManchesterFA.COM" in your browser. More information can also be found on the Manchester FA website.
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